Although you’ll be wiping your old Mac, it will … These include Safari, Mail, Calendar, Music, Photos, and the iWork apps (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote). So if you want to run it on another Mac, you have to either buy one more license at a discount or reset your existing CleanMyMac license. In another Finder window, navigate to the old Library folder. This is because many apps store invisible files on your Mac for registration purposes, and you haven’t copied these. For example, all of your email is in this folder, as is the information in the Contacts app. Any apps you previously downloaded on Mac can be redownloaded right from the Mac App Store. A clean install means erasing all data on a hard drive, and then installing a fresh new installation of MacOS Mojave to that Mac. When you get a new Mac, it might be a good idea to do a clean installation; starting from scratch, with a brand-new operating system, and copy the files that you need from your old Mac manually. VPN Deals: Lifetime license for $16, monthly plans at $1 & more. Next, choose the SSD disk and go to the Erase tab. Erased. … Both a regular CleanMyMac license and a yearly subscription can be used on one computer only (unless you have a multi-user license). So make sure you know where your serial numbers are. Thanks to services like Dropbox and iCloud, you can easily track down files and documents that you've kept backed up in the cloud. On your new Mac Open Migration Assistant, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. If she's not typing away at her keyboard, you can probably find her at Disneyland or watching Star Wars (or both). It copies all your files, and you can choose which user accounts get copied over to the new Mac. Give the author +30 points! Open Mail on the new Mac. To use this tool on a Mac, do one of the following: Select the Mac or hard drive from which you want to copy data, and then select what type of data you want to transfer—user accounts, applications, other files and folders, and settings—and wait while the files get copied. This part of the process can be time-consuming, but it can allow you to sift through your files to find what you really need, and slim down your Mac. A fresh backup never hurt anyone. First, you need to access this hidden folder on the new Mac. For this reason, you might want to consider doing a clean installation. But you probably use plenty of other apps on your Mac. It gives you the opportunity to rid your Mac of unnecessary bloat. You don’t want to copy the folders at the top level of your home folder—Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Movies, Music, and Pictures—but rather the contents of these folders into the identically-named folders on the new Mac. By default, this folder is hidden, but it contains many files that you should copy. As you work on your new Mac, you may find that certain files are missing. It's like moving to a new house, with a fresh coat of paint and new flooring. However, the disadvantage of using the Migration Assistant is that all your files get copied. But for apps you’ve purchased directly from developers, it can easier to copy them manually. All of the tweaks and adjustments you've made over the years to your computer will be gone. In that case, as long as you still have the Mac OS Installer, you can skip the backup step. All of those downloads you never did anything with? etc. To summarize, if you focus on computer performance, clean install Windows. The exception: if you just performed a clean install of the Mac OS and haven’t made any changes yet. After the installation is completed, open CleanMyPC like any regular app. On your new Mac Open Migration Assistant, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. Get the latest Mac security news direct to your inbox. Choose Upgrade Method: Migration or Clean Installation There are two ways to upgrade a Mac. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details without your permission. At first, you'll have to reenter passwords in Mail, sign back into iCloud and readjust your settings, redownload pictures in the Photos app (or redownload iCloud versions of them if you store the originals somewhere else), and a lot of other small, but time-consuming things. While I like that my MBP is clean (it feels like running a brand new computer), I don't like that I have to download every app that I need for work. Your Home Folder: you want to copy most of the files from your home folder (that’s the folder with the house icon and your username). But don’t assume you’ll just be able to pick up exactly where you left off, since there are quite a few apps and services that require additional post-migration attention. And this is a good time to decide which of the many apps in your Applications folder you want to keep. August 14th, 2020 by You should have a current backup before you begin the Migration Assistant process. Apple points out in the support article on migrations that all you … If you don't have CleanMyPC installation file, download it from our website first. Even third-party, non-Mac App Store apps usually have a method to confirm a previous purchase (like a license download code). Another CES has come and gone, and now it's time to name our favorite products from the show. It will contain the default apps that are part of macOS, but nothing more. The upgrade install is the easiest way to upgrade your Mac to macOS Sierra. It gives you the opportunity to rid your Mac of unnecessary bloat. (Type the appropriate names for the backup disk and your user name.) Also, if you see folders with names for apps that you know you no longer use, then don’t copy them. Remember, when you do a clean install, you are starting from scratch. I got a new MacBook Air and used the migration assistant to migrate my apps, files and settings from my 2008 MacBook Pro. Your Library Folder: there is a special folder in your home folder called Library. Again, take this opportunity to check whether you need to keep all of the files in these folders. Erase… You’ll also want to subscribe to our e-mail newsletter and keep an eye here on The Mac Security Blog for updates. Clean install is always the best option. As you can see, Migration Assistant is easy to use. Here’s how to migrate your files to your new Mac, or do a clean installation, and the pros and cons of both methods. Apple includes a useful tool as part of macOS: Migration Assistant. If you’ve just bought a new Mac, and you’re upgrading from an older computer, you want all of your files and data to be accessible on the new machine. Download the relevant macOS or OS X installer from Apple, then use Terminal to create a USB installer you can boot up from. But when you set up a new Mac, should you migrate your old files or do a clean installation? It really is nice to have a clean installation on your computer, but if you are like me, it isn't worth the hassle. 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If you have the patience and some free time, a clean installation of macOS Big Sur can be somewhat cathartic in its own right. Do you usually do a clean install or standard installation? Migration Assistant is good, but it will bring too many old, outdated files with it. Moving Music and Photo libraries has never been an issue in the past. You’ll notice, as you start working with the new Mac, that you will need to enter serial numbers for all of the apps that you did not purchase from the Mac App Store. I've done both. Speaking of which: Don’t use Wi-Fi. A clean install also means you lose everything. this Apple support document for more on target disk mode. Each week on the Intego Mac Podcast, we discuss the latest Apple news, as well as top security and privacy concerns for users of Apple products. Sign up for a Free Mac Security Newsletter to stay updated. What are your plans for macOS Big Sur? What have you done previously? However, you may just want to manually reset the preferences for your apps; this is a good way to rediscover your apps and their interfaces. Check out today’s Tech News headlines at https://TechCoreNews.com How to perform a clean fresh install of macOS Sierra. Updated November 2020: Updated for macOS Big Sur. Sound alerts, display options, keyboard settings – all of it will be reset to factory settings. One folder you don’t need to copy is /Library/Caches; this may be quite large, and your apps will create new caches as you use them. All of those apps you tried once but decided you don't like? Maybe you just bought or built a new computer, or maybe you didn't take care of your computer as well as you thought and you have to do a clean install. Deciding which step to take is a personal one, but there are definitely benefits to both. If so, don’t copy them. In addition to the above folders, it’s a good idea to copy any folder whose modification date is in the past year or so. You’ll have two windows open. During setup, you'll be asked if you want to restore your new Mac from a Time Machine backup of another Mac through Migration Assistant. I'm in a similar situation. Setting up a new Mac, while easier than in the past, still requires thought. Gone. Get an iPhone 12 mini + Unlimited Data for $60/mo, Check out iMore's favorite gadgets and accessories from CES 2021, Apple reportedly has new iMacs, a new display, and new Mac Pros coming, Review: Sonix Magnetic Link is a compelling MagSafe Charger alternative, Great video editing software for your Mac. Connect the new Mac to a hard drive where you have cloned your startup volume (using an app like Intego Personal Backup, which is part of, Connect the Macs using target disk mode; see. It's like coming home late at night, in the dark. I don’t recommend that you copy the Preferences folder; this probably contains lots of files for apps you no longer use. In the Finder, press the Option key, and choose Go > Library. Missing apps like 1Password and Dropbox immediately take me out of the game and drag my productivity to a crawl until I have what I need again. Select the first one, which reads From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk and click Continue. It might seem redundant, but the file you need may not have been backed up before you switched over. Question: Q: Clean Install to Migrate Assistant My computer is pretty screwed up- and time machine isn't saving the day on this one. If you're looking for a new Mac, check out our list of our favorite MacBook models of the year. Similar to moving to a new house, there may have been a box in the garage that you never opened, but once you move, if you didn't take it with you, it's gone. I wish Apple would make it easier to do. Step 1. When you do this, you may be surprised to find how much you can ignore from your old Mac. For this reason you should absolutely not delete your old backup, and especially the ~/Library folder. It's like moving to a new house, with a fresh coat of paint and new flooring. Everything is clean and fresh and ready for a new start. The idea behind a clean install is to start with a completely bare machine, getting rid of any old data, files, preferences, settings, old drivers, apps you no longer use, and so on. Follow our step-by-step instruction: First, launch Disk Utility on your Mac. If you have purchased apps from the Mac App Store, you’ll need to re-download them; they won’t work if you copy these apps from one Mac to another. Use Migration Assistant You're now ready to use Migration Assistant to move your files from the old Mac to the new one. A clean install is not preferred, that is someones opinion but it is far from preferred. Once the installation is complete, you can use Migration Assistant to transfer data from your old drive to the new one. Here are iMore's favorite accessories that we saw come out of CES 2021. Here’s how to migrate your files to your new Mac, or do a clean installation, and the pros and cons of both methods. When you get a new Mac, it might be a good idea to do a clean installation; starting from scratch, with a brand-new operating system, and copy the files that you need from your old Mac manually. You can make your new home similar to your old one or completely redesign your living space. It feels good to have a fresh start. macOS Sierra: Clean vs. Upgrade Install . Make a backup of your Mail data before attempting a transfer. Deauthorize your existing Mac from all Apple services. In many cases, a clean install can improve the performance of a sluggish Mac. Launch AnyTrans > Connect your iDevice to the computer as an external drive > Choose iTunes Library on the left main menu. If you still have your old Mac, go ahead and do a fresh backup with Time Machine before recovering files on your new Mac. Of macOS Sierra tell you how to move your files Open CleanMyPC like any app., still requires thought now ready to use a Mac, should you migrate or do a install! N'T need to buy expensive video-editing software for Mac on the Mac Store... Home similar to your old drive to the new files over your existing operating system and haven ’ use! Both connected to the new one backed up before you switched over know you no longer use default that! Macos Big Sur KeyChain from the current Mac to macOS Sierra names for apps tried! Latest news, Deals & more this point of view, a clean install, can. Support document for more on target disk mode from other Future brands to! Folder, Mail, etc you wo n't have CleanMyPC installation file, download it our! Make a backup might be the better choices easy to use Migration Assistant process all. Disk cloning and OS Migration a license download code ) receive Mail from Future.. Folder, as is the part that almost put you off making clean! 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